Latest news with #HMPTheVerne
Daily Mail
01-08-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Picturesque island property on sale for £625,000 with sea views of the Jurassic Coast - just don't mention the neighbours!
Most people look for nice additions like a conservatory or a balcony in their search for a new home. But one listing on Rightmove is grabbing attention for its historic island defences - and very interesting neighbours. The four bed semi-detached in Portland Island, just off the Dorset coast, features a cannon, three layers of vaults and grounds in a 'commanding position'. The £625,000 house is situated on top of land that was once part of Portland's old fort, which was a 19th century Verne Citadel built in the middle of the island and is surrounded by a huge moat. Listing images show inspiring sea views of the Jurassic Coast, double bedrooms with high ceilings and windows, a modern kitchen, a cannon nonetheless, and layers of historic tunnels sprawling out beneath the house. But what the ad fails to mention is that the lovely coastal home is adjacent to HMP The Verne - a prison housing roughly 600 male sex offenders. Residents will have to walk or drive past the prison to get to their home every day and will be a mere 400 metres away from the Category C prison. The property's underground tunnels are also connected to the prison, although they are safely sealed off today. Indeed, if you were to look just down the road from the garden, you would get a glimpse of barbed wire and what looks like an imposing control tower. Estate agents encourage homebuyers to enjoy the 'substantial rear conservatory' which they say provides a 'delightful space for entertaining while enjoying the garden views'. But the sight of inmates getting their daily exercise in the prison yard next door might kill any sophisticated dinner party vibe. The 19th century Citadel was built in the mid 1800s to defend Portland Harbour, strategically located between steep cliffs and deep ditches. At one point the steep fort was even protected by eight cannon guns - one of which remains in this property. Rightmove property records show the house was first sold in 1995 for £15,000, then in 1999 for £787,000, in 2018 for £480,000, and was last sold in 2022 for £600,000. Having been reduced on the market last month, homeowners who don't mind convicted neighbours could find their dream house with its spacious layout and modern interior. You just have to 'follow the signs for the Jailhouse cafe'.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Disgraced popstar Gary Glitter refused prison release
Gary Glitter, the disgraced pop star convicted of multiple child sex offences, will remain in jail after his bid for release was rejected. The Parole Board announced its decision following a paper review of Glitter's case, whose real name is Paul Gadd. Glitter, 81, was sentenced to 16 years in 2015 for the sexual abuse of three schoolgirls between 1975 and 1980. Having served half of his sentence, he was automatically released from HMP The Verne on Portland, Dorset in February 2023. Less than six weeks after his release, Glitter was rearrested and imprisoned for breaching his licence conditions. Reports indicated that he had attempted to access the dark web and view downloaded images of children. In a statement, a spokesman for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Paul Gadd following a paper review. 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.' Parole judges review the cases of criminals who are recalled to prison to decide whether they should be re-released or stay behind bars for the rest of their sentence. Glitter's last parole hearing happened in January 2024. If the Parole Board does not recommend him for release in future, he will walk free when his sentence expires in February 2031. 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority,' the Parole Board spokesman added. 'Under current legislation, he will be eligible for a further review in due course. The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice.' In April, Glitter was made bankrupt after failing to pay more than £500,000 in damages to one of his victims, her lawyers said. Richard Scorer, head of abuse law and public inquiries at Slater and Gordon – who represents one of Glitter's victims, said the decision is 'absolutely right' but warned of the 'nightmare' his client faces each time the 81-year-old is up for review. 'The decision made by the parole board is absolutely right,' Mr Scorer said. 'My client is relieved at this ruling but is understandably apprehensive about the continued nightmare of Gadd coming up for parole again, and the fear of him being let out on licence. 'This is unfair on victims and it would be better if our clients could be assured that he would serve the rest of his sentence.'
BreakingNews.ie
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Gary Glitter refused prison release by parole board
Disgraced paedophile pop star Gary Glitter has had his bid to be freed from jail rejected. The UK Parole Board revealed it had made the decision not to release Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, after a paper review – where written evidence is examined. Advertisement Glitter, 81, was jailed for 16 years in 2015 for sexually abusing three schoolgirls between 1975 and 1980. He was automatically released from HMP The Verne, a low-security prison in Portland, Dorset, in February 2023 after serving half of his fixed-term determinate sentence. Less than six weeks after walking free, Glitter was put back behind bars when police monitoring showed he had breached his licence conditions by reportedly trying to access the dark web and viewing downloaded images of children. A spokesman for the Parole Board said on Tuesday: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Paul Gadd following a paper review. Advertisement 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.' Parole judges review the cases of criminals who are recalled to prison to decide whether they should be re-released or stay behind bars for the rest of their sentence. Former pop star Gary Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London (Anthony Devlin/PA) Glitter's last parole hearing happened in January 2024. If the Parole Board does not recommend him for release in future, he will walk free when his sentence expires in February 2031. Advertisement 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority,' the Parole Board spokesman added. 'Under current legislation he will be eligible for a further review in due course. The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice.' In April, Glitter was made bankrupt after failing to pay more than £500,000 in damages to one of his victims, her lawyers said. Richard Scorer, head of abuse law and public inquiries at Slater and Gordon – who represents one of Glitter's victims, said the decision is 'absolutely right' but warned of the 'nightmare' his client faces each time the 81-year-old is up for review. Advertisement 'The decision made by the parole board is absolutely right,' Mr Scorer said. 'My client is relieved at this ruling but is understandably apprehensive about the continued nightmare of Gadd coming up for parole again, and the fear of him being let out on licence. 'This is unfair on victims and it would be better if our clients could be assured that he would serve the rest of his sentence.'
The Independent
17-06-2025
- The Independent
Gary Glitter refused prison release by Parole Board
Disgraced paedophile pop star Gary Glitter has had his bid to be freed from jail rejected. The Parole Board revealed it had made the decision not to release Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, after a paper review – where written evidence is examined. Glitter, 81, was jailed for 16 years in 2015 for sexually abusing three schoolgirls between 1975 and 1980. He was automatically released from HMP The Verne, a low-security prison in Portland, Dorset, in February 2023 after serving half of his fixed-term determinate sentence. Less than six weeks after walking free, Glitter was put back behind bars when police monitoring showed he had breached his licence conditions by reportedly trying to access the dark web and viewing downloaded images of children. A spokesman for the Parole Board said on Tuesday: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Paul Gadd following a paper review. 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.' Parole judges review the cases of criminals who are recalled to prison to decide whether they should be re-released or stay behind bars for the rest of their sentence. Glitter's last parole hearing happened in January 2024. If the Parole Board does not recommend him for release in future, he will walk free when his sentence expires in February 2031. 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority,' the Parole Board spokesman added. 'Under current legislation he will be eligible for a further review in due course. The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice.' In April, Glitter was made bankrupt after failing to pay more than £500,000 in damages to one of his victims, her lawyers said. Richard Scorer, head of abuse law and public inquiries at Slater and Gordon – who represents one of Glitter's victims, said the decision is 'absolutely right' but warned of the 'nightmare' his client faces each time the 81-year-old is up for review. 'The decision made by the parole board is absolutely right,' Mr Scorer said. 'My client is relieved at this ruling but is understandably apprehensive about the continued nightmare of Gadd coming up for parole again, and the fear of him being let out on licence. 'This is unfair on victims and it would be better if our clients could be assured that he would serve the rest of his sentence.'
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Disgraced paedophile popstar Gary Glitter will stay in jail after his application to be released was refused
Gary Glitter will stay in jail for another two years after being told today that his application to be released from prison had been rejected. The shamed singer, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was jailed for 16 years in 2015 for sexually abusing three schoolgirls between 1975 and 1980. The 80-year-old was automatically released from HMP The Verne - a low-security prison in Portland, Dorset - in February 2023 after serving half of his 16-year fixed-term determinate sentence. But just six weeks after walking free, he was dramatically taken back for breaching his licence conditions by allegedly viewing downloaded images of children. And he's remained inside since March 2023, having been refused bail in February 2024 when it was determined he remains a risk to children, who he had a 'sexual interest in'. Glitter's latest appeal was refused today and a spokesperson for the Parole Board confirmed: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Paul Gadd following a paper review. 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority. 'Under current legislation he will be eligible for a further review in due course. The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice.' The Parole Board is due to release a written summary explaining why it decided to turn down the appeal, which MailOnline can reveal was only heard based on 'papers,' or Glitter's prison documentation and police reports. The three-person board conducted the parole hearing earlier this month. Glitter was not given the opportunity to address the parole panel personally via a zoom call from prison. It is believed he is held at HM Prison Risley, Warrington, Cheshire, which specialises in holding male sex offenders. The panel also had to assess extensive reports by psychiatrists. The February 2024 appeal heard that Glitter was recalled to prison after he used a smartphone to watch videos of young girls on the dark web whilst in a bail hostel. The summary of the decision to keep Glitter behind bars stated Glitter still had a perverted sexual interest in children which 'could not be safely managed'. 'The panel examined in detail the evidence for such interests at the point of offending and subsequent to conviction. It found on the evidence that at the time of the offending, and while he was on licence,' the board said 'Mr Gadd had a sexual interest in underage girls. There was also concern about the lack of victim empathy which he had continued to show. 'Evidence was presented at the hearing regarding Mr Gadd's progress and custodial conduct during this sentence. Since his recall, his behaviour in prison was reported to have been generally good.' It continued: 'At no stage during his sentence had Mr Gadd undertaken accredited programmes or other training interventions to address his offending, due to ineligibility of a programme and the unsuitability of other programmes because of his denials. 'His probation officer advised that Mr Gadd's risks could not be safely managed in the community at this point. An in-depth assessment would be needed to ascertain suitable treatments which might reduce his risk in future.' Glitter's fall from grace began in the late 1990s when he was convicted for possessing thousands of child abuse images and was jailed for four months in 1999. In 2002, he was expelled from Cambodia amid reports of sex crime allegations, and in March 2006 he was convicted of sexually abusing two girls, aged ten and 11, in Vietnam and spent two and a half years in jail. The offences for which he was jailed in 2015 came to light as part of Operation Yewtree, the Metropolitan Police investigation launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
